A 35-year-old woman is suspected of killing her three children before taking her own life in a tragic incident in Githogoro slums, Runda, Nairobi.
The victims, all boys, were aged six, four, and two. Their bodies were found lying close together when residents made the grim discovery on Tuesday, police reported.
Monica Wandane Ndungu’s body was the first to be found, hanging in her house with a bedsheet tied around her neck. Upon further inspection, authorities determined that she had strangled her children using the same bedsheet before ending her life.
Police recovered a suicide note believed to have been written by the woman. Nairobi regional police commander George Sedah stated that forensic experts are analyzing the note to confirm its authenticity. “Preliminary findings suggest she wrote it before her death, but we want to be certain,” he said.
The note reportedly mentioned ongoing marital struggles and unhappiness in her relationship with her husband.
The bodies were taken to the mortuary for autopsy and further investigation. A crowd of onlookers gathered as authorities removed them from the scene.
Neighbors revealed that the couple had been married for over ten years but often had disputes. The husband was not present at the time of the incident.
This case adds to the growing number of reported suicides in the country, with officials emphasizing the need for mental health awareness and intervention. Police report that at least one suicide case is recorded daily, with men making up the majority of victims.
According to the World Health Organization, common causes of suicide include financial hardship, joblessness, academic stress, legal troubles, depression, substance abuse, and a history of suicide within families.
